Tennessee's opt outs, injuries and transfer portal losses ahead of the Citrus Bowl vs. Iowa

Nico Iamaleava got all the headlines over the last week. After redshirt senior quarterback Joe Milton opted out, it meant the long awaited and highly anticipated first start for Tennessee’s five-star freshman. But the Vols have more absences of note on both sides of the ball.
Ten Tennessee players entered the NCAA Transfer Portal since the regular season ended and there have been three opt-outs, with Milton joined by running backs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small. Sophomore running back Dylan Sampson will now start and should get the majority of touches, rotating with freshman Cameron Seldon.
There will be new faces on defense, too, with Tyler Baron transferring to Ole Miss and multiple defensive backs entering the portal.
Here’s a rundown of Tennessee’s opt-outs, transfer losses and injuries before the Vols face Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Monday (1 p.m. Eastern Time, ABC) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando:
Quarterback
Milton announced on Wednesday that he was opting out of the Citrus Bowl to begin preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. This season, his first as the full-time starter for the Vols, he finished with 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. As Hendon Hooker’s backup in 20222, Milton threw for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns while appearing in nine games.
Running Back
Wright declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and announced his opt out on December 15. In his three seasons with the Vols, rushed for 2,297 yards and 18 touchdowns on 368 attempts. This season he became the 19th Tennessee running back to reach 1,000 yards, running for 1,013 yards on just 137 carries, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
Small, who officially announced is opt out on Friday, in 11 games this season ran 95 times for 475 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season he ran 157 times for 734 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 106 yards and two receiving touchdowns, all career-high numbers.
Defensive Line
Tyler Baron (Committed to Ole Miss)
Tennessee senior defensive end Tyler Baron plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, it was reported on December 8. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Baron, a Knoxville native, is coming off his best season with the Vols, posting a career-high 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. He had 28 tackles — 16 solo and 12 assisted — over 12 games.
Defensive Back
Warren Burrell (Committed to Georgia Tech)
Redshirt senior defensive back Warren Burrell announced his intentions to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal as a graduate-transfer on November 30. Over five seasons at Tennessee, he had 91 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one interception, seven passes defended and a fumble recovery while appearing in 37 games with the Vols.
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Doneiko Slaughter (Committed to Arkansas)
It was reported on December 8 that Tennessee senior defensive back Doneiko Slaughterintends to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. The 6-foot, 190-pounder had 32 tackles and one sack in 10 games this season.
Tamarion McDonald (Committed to Ole Miss)
Tennessee senior nickel Tamarion McDonald submitted paperwork to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 11. In four seasons with the Vols, he had 115 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four interceptions.
Redshirt senior defensive back Wesley Walker entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 22. Walker, who transferred from Georgia Tech to Tennessee after the 2021 season, had 89 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and two interceptions in 23 games with the Vols.
Redshirt senior defensive back Brandon Turnage entered the NCAA Transfer Portal when it opened on December 4. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Turnage started his collegiate career at Alabama in 2020 before transferring to Tennessee. In three season with the Vols, he appeared in 31 games, recording 48 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, an interception and five passes defended.
Injury Report
Game-time decisions: Offensive tackle John Campbell (ankle), offensive tackle Gerald Mincey (knee), defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott (ankle).
Out: Wide receiver Bru McCoy … wide receiver Dont’e Thornton … offensive lineman Andrej Karic … linebacker Keenan Pili … linebacker Arion Carter …. cornerback Kamal Hadden.